MK17 tool questions

[hudson]

I'm about to service my MK17.. I was wondering which special tools are actually necessary for this. There is a socket from Scuba Tools which is not referenced in the maintenance procedure, which itself references a Filter retainer mounting tool P/N 43.026.101 and O-ring extractor P/N 43.300.107 (is this just a pick?). There is also a "MK16 tool" reference to both remove and install the orifice.

Thanks.

 

[beanojones]

I have not been through the S/P class since they added all the different diaphragm regs, so I cannot help you about your question. But I do want to thank you for linking that site. It's great, and it is hard to google scuba overhaul tools at least for me. I needed some stuff, and that place has it.

 

[pescador775]

I wish they would offer the balanced chamber tool for sale. It has been "available soon" for six months.

Hudson, why are you removing the diaphragm? Those things should last 20 years. However, I have not worked on the MK 17. Is it necessary in order to reach some other component?

 

[hudson]

Now that you mention it.. no I don't think I need do. Still need to know about the other tools though, esp. the orifice tool.

 

[halocline]

I rebuilt a MK18 (same as MK16 but with a turret) without the balance chamber removal tool. A small adjustable wrench worked fine. I can't say for sure about the MK17.

As far as removing the diaphragm, you want to get the pad and pin out, plus if you want to really clean the body of the reg, you want to take the diaphragm out. I would not consider a rebuild complete unless you removed it and cleaned everything. There is a tool for removing the retainer, but I think I just pushed something through the holes (like an allen wrench or a slim screwdriver shaft) and used that to remove it.

I found the MK18 pretty easy to work on. Still, I definitely prefer the balanced piston regs to that one.

 

[race890]

I rebuilt a MK18 (same as MK16 but with a turret) without the balance chamber removal tool. A small adjustable wrench worked fine. I can't say for sure about the MK17.

As far as removing the diaphragm, you want to get the pad and pin out, plus if you want to really clean the body of the reg, you want to take the diaphragm out. I would not consider a rebuild complete unless you removed it and cleaned everything. There is a tool for removing the retainer, but I think I just pushed something through the holes (like an allen wrench or a slim screwdriver shaft) and used that to remove it.

I found the MK18 pretty easy to work on. Still, I definitely prefer the balanced piston regs to that one.

Hi, is it that you prefer the Piston 1st Stage over the diaphragm 1st; only on the basis that the Piston breathes better in some way....at depth?

 

[buddhasummer]

MK17 "requires" no specialised tools. Sure, some are nice to have but not strictly necessary.

 

[rhwestfall]

Here is a video seeing the basic tools being used (some of the specialized can be useful, but not essential):


Obviously the DIN assembly was not properly torqued,,,,,,

 

[halocline]

Hi, is it that you prefer the Piston 1st Stage over the diaphragm 1st; only on the basis that the Piston breathes better in some way....at depth?

No. I prefer working on the balanced pistons because I am extremely familiar with them. I don’t think I’ve dove with the SP diaphragm 1st stages more than once or twice, and keep in mind that post is now 16 years old. So I don’t have an opinion about diving with them. The balanced pistons do ‘perform’ better (on paper) in that the job of a balanced 1st stage is to provide a rock solid consistent IP throughout the supply pressure range, and the few SP MK16-17-18s that I’ve worked on had an IP rise of 10 PSI or more throughout the supply range.

I’ll go back to my stock answer, which is that all decent quality regulators made by major manufacturers, and in good condition and adjustment, work perfectly fine for all but the most extreme diving that virtually none of us do. Because that’s the reality, as opposed to the hype for one brand/type over another. I use 30 year old (or older) regulators in cave diving all the time. I spend a few dollars in parts to rebuild them every 3-4 years, and I take good care of them in between dives.